Grants

Grants are an important source of funding to help sporting and community groups conduct projects that support their growth. Identifying an appropriate funding body and completing grant application forms can be daunting. The chances of obtaining a grant often depend on how an organisation’s project fits into the overall philosophy and specific criteria and conditions established by the grant agency.

Grants are project based. You need a project before you think about grant funding. In developing your project, be sure to stick to your core business or main objectives from your strategic plan. Do what you are good at and don’t develop a project just because funding is available.

To get the most out of available grants, consider the wide range of possible grant sources including:

Identify as many sources of potential funding support as you can, but always follow the path of least resistance.

2. Know your club

Clearly state the purpose and objectives of your club

Develop a grant application ‘toolkit’ which contains the basic information about your club that is required by many funding bodies (e.g. certificate of incorporation, constitution, recent audited or verified financial statements, your strategic plan, club profile and history, membership data, ABN and GST registration status):○ The toolkit can be used as a foundation for each application to ease the grant research and writing burden○ Maintain the toolkit in both hard copy and electronic formats (to allow information to be copied and pasted as needed).

3. Justify the need

Discuss your application with the funding body (if the opportunity is available) to gain additional guidance on your club’s and project’s eligibility and submission requirements